Automatic cutoff for paperboard machines



Feb. 2, 1954 T. A. McARN 2,667,821

AUTOMATIC CUTOFF FOR PAPERBOARD MACHINES Filed Feb. 18. 195o 4 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 2,. 1954 'rl A MQARN. 6673821 AUTOMATIC CUTOFF FOR PAPEREGRD MACHINES 4'Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18. 1950 En@ n@ NNN t@ wwwwm 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 bwdar/ Feb. 2, 1954 T- A, MGARN AUTOMATIC CUTOFF FOR PAPERBOARD ,MACHINES Filed Feb. 18, 1950 Feb. 2, 1954 T, A McARN AUTOMATIC CUTOFF FR PPERBRD MACHINES Filed Feb. 18, 1950 @mA/me s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC CUTIOFF FOR PAPERBOARD MACHINES Theodore A. McArn, Downingtown, Pa., assignor to Downingtown Manufacturing Company, Downingtown, Pa., a corporation of Pennsyl- Vania Application February 18, 1950, Serial No. 144,977

(Cl. S12-67),

4 Claims.

l This invention relates. to new and useful improvements in automatic -cut-ois for paper making rolls, and more particularly to means for automatically cutting and removing paper board formed on the accumulator rolls of -wet hoard` machines.

Prior to the present invention there existed no feasible mechanism for automatic-ally cutting and removing paper board from the accumulator roll of a wet board machine and the paper board had to be cut and removed from the roll manually. This was done by having the operator of the machine stand beside the accumulator roll and, when the paper board had been built upto the desired thickness. draw a knife across the face of the roll. Because of thelimitation in the speed which the operator could run the knife across the face of the accumulator roll the perpheral speed of the accumulator roll had tobe kept relatively slow.- The maximum speed at which the accumulator roll could be run using this method of removal of the paper boardwas approximately 150 feet per minute.

By the use of the presentinventionit has been found that the peripheral speed. of the accumulator roll maybe doubled. Increasingl the speed of the accumulator roll cuts down the amount of pulp picked up by theV roll in each revolution giving a smoother and better gradel of paper board, thus both the output and quality of the paper boardvproduced. increased.

With the foregoing mind, the principal object of the present inventionis toprovide. a

novel automatic cutoff for accumulator rollsy ofA wet board machines which will out and aid` in removing the paper board from said rolls.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel automatic cut-off. for accumulator rolls of wet board machines which will allow the roll to be run faster, thus increasing. the quality and outputof thepaper. board prof duced by the machine.

Another object of the present inventionl is to provide a novel automatic cut-oil for accumulator rolls of wet board machines whereina knife blade` is provided which may be caused to rotatewith the roll when the paper board thereon has been huilt up to the desiredthickness.,andwill auto."V

2v is to provide a novel automatiocuteoi for paper making. rolls having the advantages and characteristicsset forthand which isentirely eiiicient and effective in operation and use.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are herein after fully setforth and described with reference tothe accompanying drawingsvin which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an accumuiator roll having an automatic cut-201i. made. in accordance with the present inventiony attached thereto;

Fig. 2. is a sectional view taken along theline 2-2, Fig. 1;,

Figs, 3a and 3b are views taken along the line 3-3, Fig. 1 showing the knife blade and the knife operating mechanism of the present invention;

Fig. vi is a view taken along the line 4.-4, Fig. 1 showing the arm supporting the accumulator roll.;

Fig. 5 is aview taken along the line A5-.i, Fig, 1 showing aportion of the rotatable arms and the latching mechanism therefor.; y

Fig. 6 is a sectional. view taken alongv thedine 6-6,. Fig. 1 showing the bracket used to secure the accumulator roll to the framework of the machine;

Fig,.7 is asectionalview taken along the. line 1 1, Fig. 3a showing the guide for .the knife blade;

Eis.. 8 is a'. sectional view taken on the line 8-8. Fis. 3a showing theI bracket for supporting the knife blade:4

Fig. 9 is a sectional View taken along the line 9 9, Fig. 3ashowing thefmethod. of securing the aircylinder to thekniie supporting bar.

Fig. 10 is a.. sectional view taken along the linen Ill-l0, Fig. 3h showing' the. limit switch for zcmtrolling-the direction of operation of the. knife lade;

Fig. 11 is aschenriatic` wiring, and air diagram controlling the operation of the automatic cut,- oi mechanism; and

Fig. 12 is a. schematic diagram of a wet board machine.

The'` automatic. cut-oir of.. the present' invention comprises essentially a knife blade which may be caused to rotate with. the accumulator roll of. a Wet hoard machine fora portion ofV a revolution when the paper board on the accumulator roll has been built upr tothev desired thickness andv during rotation therewith be caused to slice across'theiace of theaccuxnulator rol thus cut-- ting the paper board formed on the roll and aiding in the removal of the paper board therefrom.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and particularly Figs. 1, 2 and 4, reference numeral I designates generally an accumulator roll fixed on a shaft II which is supported in bearings I2 carried by arms I3 at opposite sides of the roll I0. ed to brackets I4 by means of pins I5 as shown in Fig. 4. The brackets I4 are carried on ways I6 which are a part of the framework I1. rlhe brackets I4 are each secured toa threaded shaft I8 and may he raised or lowered on the Ways I6 by rotating the hand wheels I9. brackets I4 are in the proper position on vthe ways I8, they may be locked thereby securing the cover plates tightly against the rear edge of the ways I8 by means of bolts 2|. The position The arms I3 are pivotally mount-v When thev of the arms I3 is adjustable so that accumulator rolls IIl of different diameters may be carried by the same framework I1.

The accumulator roll I0 is positioned so that its center is directly above the center of the supporting roll 22. The paper pulp is placed on the accumulator roll I0 by means of an endless felt 23 as shown in Fig. 12, which travels over a roll 24 partially submerged in a tank of paper pulp 25. The roll 24 picks up a thin layer of paper pulp from the tank 25 and transfers it to the felt 23. The felt 23 in turn transfers the layer of pulp to the accumulator roll I0.

A bracket 26 is secured to each of the arms I3 by means of bolts 23a and carries a microswitch 21 thereon. The microswitch 21 is operated by an arm 2B which is pivotally mounted to the microswitch 21 and is positioned so that it contacts the framework I1. As the paper is built up on the accumulator roll I0, the center of the roll is raised and pivoted about the pins I5 by an amount equal to the thickness of the paper on the laccumulator roll I0. As the accumulator roll I0 is raised, the bracket 26 is moved outwardly away from the framework I1 and thus the arm 28 is allowed to be pivoted about the microg switch 21. When the paper board has been built up to the desired thickness the knife, more fully described hereinafter, is actuated by means of the microswitch 21 and slices across the face of theaccumulator roll I0, thus cutting the paper board formed thereon and allowing the same to be removed therefrom.

When the paper board is removed from the accumulator roll I0, the roll Will fall an amount equal to the thickness of the paper removed therefrom and contact the supporting roll 22. To prevent the accumulator roll I from dropping rapidly onto the supporting roll 22, shock absorbers 29 are secured to the brackets 23 and adjusted so that they contact the framework I1. The shock absorbers 29 will cause the accumulator roll I0 to drop slowly intocontact with the supporting roll 22.

A pair of arms 33 are carried by the bearing mount I2 along with the shaft I I upon which the accumulator roll I0 is supported. As shown in Fig..2, the arms 30 are pivotally mounted adjacent their mid-points on hubs 3I securedto the bearing mount by means of bolts v32. The arms 33 and the accumulator roll IIJ may both be rotated with respect to each other and to the bearing mount and they are interconnected by means of a cross frame 33 which is slidably mounted on each of the arms 30 and carries the cutting knife 34 thereon. The arms 38 are also connected at the other end thereof by a channel member ,351

secured to each of the arms 30 by means of bolts 35. A cam 31 is securely fastened to each end of the shaft II and is adapted to be rotated with the accumulator roll I0. The arms 33 are normally in the position shown in Fig. 1 by the overbalancing of the knife-supporting end of the arms 30, and are held there by adjustable stops 38 carried by brackets 39 which are secured to the supporting arms I3 by bolts 43.

The arms 30 each carry a plunger 4I which is normally held in a retracted position by means of a spring 42. The plunger 4I is operated by a solenoid 43 controlled by the micrcswitch 21. When the microswitch 21 is closed due to the desired thickness of paper being built up on the accumulator roll II), the solenoid 43 forces the plunger 4I againstl the periphery of the cam 31. As the cam 31 is rotated, the plunger 4I is contacted by the shoulder 44 on the cam 31 and the arms 30 are caused to rotate with the accumulator roll I0. The cam shoulder 44 is so positioned with respect to the accumulator roll I0 that as the plunger 4I is contacted by the shoulder 44, a slot 45 extending transversely across the face of the accumulator roll III is positioned adjacent to the knife blade 34 and as the knife blade 34 is caused to slice across the face of the roll I0, it enters the slot 45. The slot 45 has a soft metal liner 46 therein as shown which will prevent the knife 34 from becoming nicked, if it should happen to contact the edges of the slot 45.

As the arms 33 reach the broken line position as shown in Fig. l, a roller 41 secured to the plunger 4I is contacted by a cam 43 secured to the bracket I4 and the plunger 4I is withdrawn from contact with the cam 31. An extension 49 on the arms 30 is contacted by an adjustable stop 50 also secured to the bracket I4 and prevents the arms 3B from any further rotation. After the plungers 4I are withdrawn from contact with the cams 31, thearms 30 are returned by gravity to their original position as shown in Fig. 1.

The cross frame 33 is adjustable with respect to the arms 30 by means of a threaded shaft 5I` so that the knife 34 may be properly positioned with respect to accumulator rolls of different diameters. A plurality of connecting links 52 are pivotally mounted to the cross frame 33 by means of pins 53 and also pivotally mounted to the knife 34 by pins 54. Thus the knife 34 may be moved back and forth longitudinally with respect to the accumulator roll III and during such movement will cut the paper formed on the roll I0. A plurality of guides 55 are carried by the cross frame 33 and hold the knife blade 34 rigidly from any Vertical displacement.

A double-acting air cylinder 53 is secured to the cross frame 33 and has the end of its piston rod 51 fastened to the knife blade 34 by means of a connecting link 58. As air is forced into the cylinder 56, the knife blade 34 is moved across the face of the accumulator roll I0. The knife blade 34 carries a U-shaped stop 59 which actuates a limit switch 6B controlling the oW of airto the double-acting air cylinder 56 and thus the movement of the knife blade 34./` When the knife blade 34 is in'its extreme right-hand position, as shown in Figs. 3a and 3b, the limit switch 38 is positioned so that air may enter only the right-hand portion of the air cylinder 56 thus forcing the knife blade to its extreme left-hand position and when the knife blade 34 is in its lefthand position, the limit switch 60 Ais operable to permit air tote. admitted only to the left-hand side of the an cylinder s and' thus forcemeknie blade toits extreme right-hand position.

The arms carry a guide member Si which operates a limit switch $2 secured to the bracket 39. The limit switch 62 is so adapted that it is only in the closed circuit position when the arms 30 are rotating with the raccu'mulater roll I0, and the solenoid operated air valve (more fully described hereinafter) may not be actuated unless the vlimit switch 62 is in the closed circuit position. 'Ihis is a safety measure which prevents accidental or continuous operation of the knife 34.

Fig. 11 Ashows a schematic wiring and air diagram for controlling the operation of the automatic cut-off mechanism. When the microswitch 21 is operated by having the desired thickness of paper built up on the accumulator roll I0, the circuit to the solenoids 43 is closed forcing the Dlungers 4I into contact with the cams 31. When the plunger 4| is contacted by the shoulder 44 of the cam 31, the arms 30 are caused to rotate with the accumulator roll l0. In this position the knife blade 34 is directly opposite the groove 45 in the accumulator roll l0. As the arms 30 start to rotate, the limit switch 62 is closed, which, in turn, closes the circuit to one of the solenoids 53 or 64 depending upon the position of the other limit switch 60. The solenoids 63 and 64 control air valves 65 and 66 respectively, which admit air to the left and right-hand side, respectively, of the air cylinder 56. When the knife blade 34 is in the right-hand position, and the microswitch 21 and limit switch 62 are closed, solenoid 64 will be energized opening valve 65 and closing valve 6B. Thus air will be admitted to the right-hand side of the air cylinder 56 and exhausted from the left-hand side thereof, forcing the knife to the left across the face of the accumulator roll I0. Similarly, when the knife blade 34 is in its left-hand position, solenoid 63 will be energized and air will be admitted to the left-hand side of the cylinder 56 and the knife blade 3 will be forced to the right across the face of the accumulator roll I0. I'he knife blade 34 is prevented from operating continuously by having the guide 6| come out of contact with the limit switch 62 when the arms 30 are in their upper position thus opening the switch 62, and when the arms 30 drop to their original position, the microswitch 21 will be opened. Thus the circuit to the solenoids 63 or 64 will only be closed during one direction of operation of the knife blade 34.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel automatic cutoif which cuts and aids in the removal of paper board from the accumulator roll of a wet board machine. Furthermore, the present invention provides a novel automatic cut-olf of the above mentioned type which is of relatively simplified construction, is fool-proof in operation and may be easily adapted to any type of accumulator roll.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosures, and changes and modifications may be incorporated and embodied therein within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In an automatic cut-off for the accumulator roll of a wet board machine, a shaft rotatably mounted to support the accumulator roll, a pair of arms mounted intermediate their ends adjacent opposite ends of the roll for pivotal movemerit` about the axisof saidroll, cam means secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith, a plunger secured to each of said .arms and lactuable simultaneously into engagement withsaid cam means to cause rotation of the armswith the roll, electric means operable in response to a predetermined thickness off the board on the roll to actuate the plunger into engagement with said cam means, av knife blade carried by the arms mounted to traverse the face of the roll in either direction and sever the board thereon during such traverse, blade actuating means operable to actuate the blade alternately in opposite directions across the face of the roll, control mechanism comprising a normally open switch and means to close said switch only during rotation of the arms with the roll to actuate said blade actuating means, and second switch means mounted adjacent the knife blade and actuable by the knife blade to control the direction of traverse of the knife blade.

2.1`n an automatic cut-off for the accumulator roll of a wet board machine, a shaft rotatably mounted for supporting the accumulator roll, a pair of arms mounted intermediate their ends adyacent opposite ends of the roll, cam means secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith, a plunger secured to each of said arms and actuable simultaneously into engagement with said cam means to cause rotation of the arms with the roll, electric means operable in response to a predetermined thickness of the board on the roll to actuate the plunger into engagement with said cam means, a knife blade carried by the arms mounted to traverse the face of the roll in either direction and sever the board thereon during such traverse, blade actuating means operable to actuate the blade alternately in opposite directions across the face of the roll, control mechanism comprising a normally open switch and means to close said switch only during rotation of the arms with the roll to actuate said blade actuating means, second switch means mounted adjacent the knife blade and actuable by the knife blade to control the direction of traverse of the knife blade, and a Xed element engageable by the plunger after a predetermined extent of rotation of the arms operable to disengage said plunger from the cam means and stop rotation of the arms.

3. In an automatic cut-off for the accumulator roll of a Wet board machine, a pair of arms mounted adjacent opposite ends ofthe roll for pivotal movement about the axis of said roll, latch means operable in response to the thickness of the board on said roll to cause simultaneous rotation of said arms with the roll when the board thereon attains a predetermined thickness, a knife blade carried by the arms mounted to traverse the face of the roll in either direction and sever the board thereon during such traverse, blade actuating means operable' to actuate the blade alternately in opposite directions across the face of the roll, control mechanism comprising a normally open switch and means to close said switch only during rotation of the arms with the roll to actuate said blade actuating means, and second switch means actuable by the knife blade to control the direction of traverse of the knife blade.

4. In as automatic cut-off for the accumulator roll of a wet board machine, a pair of arms mounted adjacent opposite ends of the roll for pivotal movement about the axis of said roll, latch means operable in response to the thickness of the board on said roll to cause simultaneous rotation of said arms with the roll when the board thereon attains a predetermined thickness, a knife blade carried by the arms mounted to traverse the face of the roll in either direction and sever the board thereon during such traverse, blade actuating means operable to actuate the blade alternately in opposite directions across the face of the roll, control mechanism comprising a normally open switch and means to close said switch only during rotation of the arms with the roll to actuate said blade actuating means, second switch means actuable by the knife blade to control the direction of traverse of the knife blade, and means to dis- 15 8 engage the latch means and stop rotation of the arms when the latter have rotated a predetermined distance.

THEODORE A. MCARN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date' lo 1,063,606 Schenck June 3, 1913 1,127,807 Perkins Feb. 9, 1915 1,532,117 Batchelder Apr. 7, 1925 1,608,129 MacAllister Nov. 23, 1926 1,665,644 Sponsel Apr. 10, 1928 

